The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has slashed the standard for digital TV set-top boxes to make them cheaper and more accessible to consumers.
The commission is ditching the 1.3.1 standard approved last year in favour of the 1.2.1 version.
Col Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the NBTC's broadcasting committee, said 1.3.1 is the latest version of digital TV receiver and can be used with mobile TV. Many Asean countries have set their receiver standard as 1.3.1, but there is only one maker (Sony) in the market.
Meanwhile, the 1.2.1 version is current throughout Europe and parts of Asia.
"The downgrading of the set-top box standard will help the digital transition happen faster," said Col Natee.
The NBTC did not approve any maker to sell the digital TV receivers. It wants to test-run all proposed boxes and gather opinions before making a decision on Feb 27.
Col Natee expects the digital TV receivers to be on sale by next month or early April. The qualified boxes must have an official label issued by the NBTC.
Several set-top box makers, including Samart, PSI, IPM and Loxley, are ready to sell their receivers.
TV set makers are also waiting for clearer information about digital so they can produce new models. Samsung, Panasonic and Toshiba are set to launch new digital TVs late this year.
In addition, the NBTC has already approved in principle the auction rules for digital TV licences and will conduct a public hearing soon.
BBTV, which runs Channel 7, has asked the regulator to clarify the broadcasting fee scheme during the transition period, as the channel will have to broadcast both analogue and digital signals.